Starfish washed up on Margate sands Photos Tony Waitt
A mass of starfish have washed up on the beach at Margate today (December 26).
Dogwalker Tony Waitt discovered the sad sight after taking dog Alfie for a morning run on the sand.
Photo Frank Leppard
Hundreds more are reported to be washed up between Westbrook and St Mildred’s Bay.
Starfish strandings are a natural occurrence that happen every year to some degree. The Natural History Museum says large strandings often occur after stormy weather when water currents become stronger and wash the starfish to the shore. Starfish live on the soft, sandy parts of the ocean floor and are easily picked up by currents and waves.
Photo Frank Leppard
Heavy storms can cause even deep water to move and affect offshore starfish populations. Changing tides, high winds and sea swell can also be factors.
Photo Frank Leppard
Similar incidents happened across the isle in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2018 when thousands of Devil crabs – also known as Velvet swimming crabs – starfish, lobsters, sponges and anemones, were washed up on beaches following severe weather. Large starfish strandings were also reported in 2023 and 2024.
Did you know…
Starfish suck the life out of the seabed by smothering shell fish like mussels and clams. They even smother fish trapped in nets and leave marks on them.